creative writing genres ks2

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Writing for different genres teaching pack

Writing for different genres is a downloadable key stage 2 English pack featuring seven original comic strips as prompts to engage and inspire reluctant writers. 

The pack includes lesson plans, scaffolded writing templates and worksheets to support children in writing for different text types: a fictional diary, a formal letter, a playscript, a fictional recount, a list, a poem and their own comic strip. It also includes additional teaching ideas to develop children’s own writing skills, including an activity to develop their understanding of metaphor and simile.  

The pack comes with a PowerPoint which features a starter activity for each session and useful checklists of the language features and structure of each writing genre.  

What's included?

• Includes lesson plans and scaffolded writing templates for each writing genre
• Features seven original comic strips as writing prompts
• Includes a PowerPoint with starter activities and checklists for the language features and structures of each text type

The sessions can be taught in any order and adapted for different year groups. Perfect for your key stage 2 English lessons to develop children's skills in writing for a range of purposes. 

What's inside?

‘A Week’s Excuses’ – writing a diary (pages 4-11)

• Teaching notes
• Comic strip
• Diary writing template
• Sentence starters
• Using direct speech

‘Something Odd Out There’ – writing a formal letter (pages 12-19)

• Letter template with prompts
• Letter template without prompts
• Blank-bubbled version of ‘Something Odd Out There’

‘Alien Arrival’ – writing a playscript (pages 20-14)

• Playscript template
• Blank-bubbled version of ‘Alien Arrival’

‘Jennifer Jones’ – writing a recount (pages 25-28)

• Match report planning template
• ‘Jennifer Jones’ – all of a muddle

‘Sad I Ams’ – writing a bulleted list (pages 29-32)

• ‘Happy I Ams’ – metaphors
• ‘Happy I Ams’ – list template

‘StereoHead’ – writing poetry (pages 33-36)

• A sense poem planning template
• A sense poem writing template

‘The Dark Avenger’ – writing a comic strip (pages 37-42)

• Blank comic strip template and checklist
• Blank-bubbled version of ‘The Dark Avenger’

An extract from the teaching notes:

Read the completed version of the comic strip, either individually or as a class. What do the children notice about the rhyme scheme? What do they think of Jennifer?

Invite the children to suggest which writing genre they might be focusing on today. Clarify that they will be writing a match report, which is a type of recount. They will have to channel their inner sports reporter to write an exciting account of Jennifer’s match!

Refer to PowerPoint slides 12-13 and ask the children to get into pairs to revise the features of a recount. Ask them to pick a feature to share that they think others may not remember (in the style of the game show ‘Pointless’). They then win a point for every group that didn’t think of their feature.

• Recounts are chronological (written in the order events happened).
• They should include a title.
• They should explain who, what, when, where and why.
• They are written in the first or third person.
• Recounts are written in the past tense.
• They feature time connectives.
• They should include facts and descriptive language (to give the reader a clear picture).

Share the planning template with the children. You may want to discuss the order of events and list them in chronological order before the children begin filling in the planning templates independently.

Once they have completed their plan, they should write their match report.

Once completed, invite the children to share their match reports and ask the class to use the features on the PowerPoint as a checklist. Celebrate any descriptive language and add the best words and phrases to any word wall or word bank you may have.

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What are the writing genres and their features in Key Stage 2?

by Danielle | Feb 22, 2024 | Blog , Creative Writing | 0 comments

Here are the main writing genres your children will learn during primary school education and their key features:

Narrative/Story Writing:

• Story start, build up, problem and resolution.
• Characters, setting, and plot development.
• Descriptive language to paint a vivid picture.
• Chronological sequencing of events.
• Use of dialogue for character conversations.
• Written in 1st or 3rd person.
• Usually past tense.
• Includes story continuation.

Descriptive Writing:

• Detailed descriptions of people, places, objects, or events.
• Sensory language engaging sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
• Use of vivid adjectives and adverbs.
• Use of literary devices and figurative language.
• Organised structure with a clear focus.
• Usually written in 3rd person.
• Creative use of language, rhythm, and rhyme.
• Imagery and figurative language (similes, metaphors).
• Short lines and stanzas.
• Emotional expression and focus on feelings.
• Varied poetic forms (haiku, acrostic, free verse).

Plays and Scripts:

• Character names presented appropriately.
• Stage directions in brackets.
• No quotation marks.
• Acts and scenes.
• Setting description.
• Engaging plot, with clear beginning, middle and end.

Explanation Writing

• Clear introduction outlining the topic.
• Explanation of the topic presented in clear and logical order.
• Use of headings and sub-headings.
• Facts and statistics to support writing.
• May include diagrams and charts.
• Technical vocabulary related to the topic.
• Clear paragraphs.

Information Writing

• Introduction of the main topic to be discussed.
• Organised structure with paragraphs for different points.
• Use of facts, examples, and details to explain a topic.
• Subheadings and bullet points for clarity.
• Conclusion summarising key points.

Biographical and Autobiographical Writing

• 1st person (autobiographical) and 3rd person (biographical).
• Written in chronological order, with description of events.
• Factual (biographical), emotions and reflections (autobiographical).
• Formal writing.

Persuasive Writing

• Clear opinion stated in the introduction.
• Arguments supported by reasons and evidence.
• Strong conclusion urging the reader to take action.

Discussion Writing

• Introduction, outlining the topic.
• Paragraphs, each focussing on a different idea.
• Balanced discussion, showing both sides of the argument.
• Evidence and examples to support viewpoints.
• Conclusion, summarising the topic and reaching an overall conclusion.

Letter Writing

• Appropriate greeting.
• Clear purpose for writing (e.g., thank, inquire, share information).
• Well-organised paragraphs.
• Understanding of audience (formal or informal writing).

Diary Writing

• 1st person.
• Past tense.
• Chronological events.
• Informal language.
• Expressing emotion.
• Some descriptive details.

Reports (Newspaper etc)

• Introduction, body, and conclusion structure.
• Headings and subheadings for different sections.
• Use of facts, research, and details to present information.
• Organised in a logical and sequential manner.
• Unbiased information.

Are you interested in supporting your child further with creative writing?

Our creative writing clubs and courses run online for families and also as after-school clubs in schools. To find out more about our online courses, please visit our Upcoming Courses. If you are a school interested in hearing about our after-school clubs, please visit our Schools page, or send us an email at [email protected].

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